Alternately flashing warning system

ABSTRACT

The high beam filaments of a vehicle&#39;&#39;s headlights are controlled to flash in order to provide a warning signal. A double-pole, double-throw flasher swtich, in one position, completes a circuit from a battery through a flasher to the high beam filaments of the headlight to flash the high beams. In the other flasher switch position, the high beams are connected to the battery via the dimmer and main &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on-off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; switches. Flashing of the high beams in response to activation of the flasher switch is independent of the position of the conventional &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on-off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; headlight switch and dimmer switch by virtue of the fact that these two switches are not in the flasher circuit. Steady low beam operation may be maintained during the high beam flashing operation, and independently of it, by the dimmer and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on-off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; switches, which are connected between the low beams and the battery.

Unite States Patent [191 Ward [451 Jan. 8, i974 1 1 ALTERNATELY FLASHINGWARNING SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Richard W. Ward, Westchester,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: KD Lamp Co., Cincinnati, Ohio [22] Filed: 7 Dec. 12, 1972[21] Appl. No.: 314,372

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 103,427,Jan. 4, 1971,

Primary Examiner1(enneth N. Leimer Attorney-Wood, Herron & Evans [5 7]ABSTRACT The high beam filaments of a vehicles headlights are controlledto flash in order to provide a warning signal. A double-pole,double-throw flasher swtich, in one position, completes a circuit from abattery through a flasher to the high beam filaments of the headlight toflash the high beams. in the other flasher switch position, the highbeams are connected to the battery via the dimmer and main on-offswitches. Flashing of the high beams in response to activation of theflasher switch is independent of the position of the conventional on-offheadlight switch and dimmer switch by virtue of the fact that these twoswitches are not in the flasher circuit. Steady low beam operation maybe maintained during the high beam flashing operation, and independentlyof it, by the dimmer and on-off switches, which are connected betweenthe low beams and the battery.

1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJAH 81974 4 M 4 im... W

ALTERNATELY FLASHING WARNING SYSTEM This is a continuation, division, ofapplication Ser. No. 103,427, filed Jan. 4, 1971, now abandoned.

The invention relates to a flashing automobile headlight warning system,and more particularly to a vehicle light warning system of the flashingtype, wherein a simplified control circuit is provided for flashing theheadlights regardless of the position of the usual lightcontrollingswitches. Various devices are known which flash the headlights of avehicle for warning signal purposes. There are, however, certaindrawbacks associated with each. For example, the circuitry required toproduct flashing or alternate flashing has been relatively complex,requiring numerous gang switches and substantial wiring. Thisunnecessarily adds to their cost.

Another disadvantage has been that, when the prior systems are in theirflashing mode, all other current to the headlights is cut off so thatthe vehicle loses the use of a steady beam during the flashingoperation.

Another disadvantage is that the prior devices require manipulation of anumber of switches to achieve a desired mode of operation. For instance,the on-of switch, the dimmer switch, and others, must all beparticularly positioned to initiate a flashing operation.

A further disadvantage of the prior systems, in part attributable totheir complexity, is that they are not readily incorporated intoexisting automobile lighting circuits which do not have a flashingcapability. Thus, adoption of such is likely to occur only with respectto new automobiles; the existing automobile market being lost. Thus,owners of automobiles not provided with a means to initiate a flashingheadlight operation, if they desire a flashing warning capability, mustpurchase vehicles already equipped with a flashing device or must go todisproportionate expense and complex modification to provide theirexisting vehicles with a flashing capability.

One object, then, of the invention is to provide a control circuit forflashing the high beam filaments of a headlight while the other, lowbeam vehicular headlight units or filaments are either off or steadilyilluminated, depending on the desires of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved controlcircuit for controlling the flashing of selected headlight filaments ona vehicle regardless of the position of the usual light controllingswitches, such as the headlight on-of switch and the dimmer switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a circuit forcontrolling the flashing of vehicle headlights, including a flasherswitch and a flasher, which circuit is simple and which may be readilyadapted with appropriate connections for incorporation in existingheadlight control circuits.

Another and yet highly important object of the invention is to provide acontrol circuit for controlling the alternate flashing of the high beamfilaments of a vehicles headlights independently of other usual switchescommonly found on a vehicle, such as a headlight dimmer switch and anon-of switch.

The present invention is especially adapted for use in a vehicle havinghigh beam and low beam headlamps, a battery, a conventional dimmerswitch with high beam and low beam contacts for alternatively selectinghigh or low beam operation, and a headlight on-of switch connectedbetween the dimmer switch and battery which provides battery power tothe dimmer switch to energize, depending on dimmer switch position, thehigh or low beam filaments. The invention includes a double-pole,double-throw flasher switch and a flasher with two alternately energizedoutputs which is connected with its input to the battery and its twooutputs to two poles of the switch. The other two poles of the switchconnect to the high beam contact of the dimmer switch. In its onposition, the flasher switch connects the two alternatively energizedflasher outputs to the two high beam filaments, and, in its normal ofposition, connects the high beam filaments to the high beam contact ofthe dimmer switch.

ln normal low beam operation, current flows from the battery through theclosed headlight on-off switch, through the low beam contact of thedimmer switch which has been placed in low position, and then to the lowbeam headlamps. Operation of the low beams is independent of theposition of the flasher switch, hence the double-pole, double-throwflasher switch-is not used in low beam operation.

In normal high beam operation, with the dimmer switch shifted to itshigh position, current flows through the high beam contact of the dimmerswitch to the two-pole, double-throw flasher switch. Assuming theflasher switch is in its normal non-flashing position, current flowssteadily through it to the high beam filaments so that they areconstantly illuminated.

When the flasher switch is in its flashing or on position, and thedimmer switch is in its high position, current cannot flow directly tothe high beam filaments from the battery, since the flasher switchbreaks that circuit. Current does, however, flow through the flasher,alternately energizing the two outputs thereof, and in turn the two highbeam filaments connected thereto. If steady low beam and alternatelyflashing high beam operationare concurrently desired, the flasher switchis positioned to its flashing position to connect the alternatelyenergized flasher outputs to the high beam filaments, and the dimmerswitch is placed on its low position to connect the low beam filamentsto the battery to continuously illuminate concurrently with thealternately flashing high beam filaments.

The circuit of this invention includes a minimum of wiring and ofswitches, and is thus simple and economical. Furthermore, it can beappreciated that the flasher switch and flasher is readily adaptable,with appropriate connections, for use with existing vehicular lightcontrolling circuits. For instance, it is only necessary to connect theflasher input to the battery of a vehicle, one set of flasher switchpoles to the high beam filaments of the vehicles headlights, and theother set of flasher switch poles to the high beam contact of anexisting dimmer switch. No other or additional wiring or switches arerequired, and such modification is relatively easily accomplished.

Alternate embodiments include means for flashing the high beam filamentssimultaneously and for retaining the capability of concurrent steady lowbeam illumination and the independent nature of the flashing control.This is accomplished by connecting the high beam filaments to only oneof the flashers two outputs or by utilizing a single output pulse typeof flasher, as will be described.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent from the following detailed description andthe drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram ofa preferred embodiment of the inventionwherein two-filament headlights are used,

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial view of a vehicle with the flasher turnedon and the high beam filament of one headlight illuminated,

FIG. 3 is a view of the vehicle of FIG. 2 with the other high beamfilament illuminated,

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention,wherein separate high beam and low beam headlights are utilized,

FIG. 5 is a view of a vehicle provided with the alternate embodiment ofthe invention, wherein the flasher is turned on and one high beamheadlamp is flashing,

FIG. 6 is a view of the vehicle of FIG. 5 with the other high beamheadlamp flashing,

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention whereinthe high beams are connected to only one output of a flasher, and

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an alternate embodiment utilizing apulsating flasher with a single output.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows in detail the circuit of theinvention indicated generally at 10. The controlling switches arelocated for convenient manual operation by the operator of a vehicle inwhich the circuit is employed. A conventional battery 11 is provided asa source of power and is grounded at 12. A main headlight on-off switch13 is provided which is operable to turn the headlights 14 and 15 of avehicle on when in a first position and of when in a second position,and are located within reach of the operator of the vehicle. The mainswitch 13 is shown in its off position.

A dimmer switch 16 having high beam contact 16H and low beam contact 16Lis provided to alternately connect, via a movable contact 16', the highor low beam filaments of headlights 14 and 15 to the battery through theon-off switch 13. Dimmer switch 16 is shown in its high beam operationposition. It, too, is located within reach of the vehicles operator, andwhen placed in its other position (as indicated by dotted line 37)conducts a current to the low beam filaments.

A flasher switch is shown generally at 17. This switch is a conventionaldouble-pole, double-throw switch of a type known to the art and islocated within reach of the vehicle s operator. It has high beamcontacts 18 and 19, central contacts and 21, and flasher contacts 22 and23. Flasher switch 17 has an off or first position andan on or secondposition. In the off position, contacts 20 and 21 are connected tocontacts 18 and 19, respectively, which in turn connect via wire 24 tothe high beam contact 5 of dimmer switch 16. In the on position,contacts 20 and 21 are connected to contacts 22 and 23, respectively,which in turn connect, via wires 34 and 35, to alternate outputs 32 and33 of flasher 31.

Headlamps 14 and 15 are of conventional design, each including a highbeam filament 6 and 7, respectively, and a low beam filament 8 and 9,respectively. These filaments 6, 7, 8 and 9 may be commonly grounded ineach headlamp l4 and 15 as shown at 27 and 28, respectively. The highbeam filaments and low beam filaments are separately connected to thecontrol circuit as will be described.

For purposes of description it is to be understood that the plurality oflow beam filaments may be described as a group of filaments and the highbeam filaments may be described as being included in a separate group offilaments.

Central contact 20 of the switch 17 is connected to high beam filament 7of headlight 15 through wire 25. Central contact 21 of the switch 17 isconnected to high beam filament 6 of headlight 14 through wire 26. Thelow beam filaments 8 and 9 of each headlight l4 and 15 are commonlyconnected to dimmer switch 16 through wires 29 and 30.

A flasher is diagrammatically shown at 31 and has an input 30 connectedto battery 11 through wire 45. The flasher may be of any conventionaltype which alternates current flow between contacts 30-32 and 30-33. AModel 537 flasher commercially available from the Tung-sol Division ofWagner Electric Co., located at One Summer Avenue, Newark, New Jersey,is satisfactory. Flasher contact 32 is connected to contact 22 offlasher switch 17 through wire 34. Flasher contact 33 is connected tocontact 23 of flasher switch 17 through wire 35.

Normal operation of the headlights l4 and 15 is initiated by placing themain headlight switch 13 in its on" position as indicated by the dottedline 36. If the dimmer switch is in its low or first position, asindicated by dotted line 37, current flows from battery 11, throughswitch 13, through switch 16, and through a wire 30 to the low beamfilament 8 of headlamp l4 and through a wire 29 to the low beam filament9 of headlight 15.

If the dimmer switch 16 is in its high or second position, as shown, andflasher switch 17 is in its of or first position, current flows frombattery 11 through switch 13, through switch 16 to wire 24, throughcontacts 18 and 19 to contacts 20 and 21 and through wires 25 and 26 tothe high beam filaments 7 and 6 of headlights 15 and 14, respectively.Thus, with the flasher switch 17 in its of position as described, normaloperation through the main headlight on-off" switch 13 and dimmer switch15 is achieved.

The flashing operation of high beams 6 and 7 may be accomplished with orwithout concurrent operation of the low beams, depending upon the timeof day flashing is desired. During daylight hours, when the headlightswitch 13 is generally off, for instance, the flashing may be achievedby merely setting flasher switch 17 to its on or second position.Current then flows from battery 11, through wire 45 to flasher input 30,alternately through wires 34 and 35 via flasher outputs 32 and 33 toswitch contacts 22 and 23 and contacts 20 and 21, thence alternatelythrough wires 25 and 26 to the high beam filaments 6 and 7 of headlights14 and 15, respectively. It can be readily appreciated that thisflashing operation is initiated by the mere movement of flasher switch17 to its on position, without movement of the main headlight switch 13to its on position, and without regard to the position of dimmer switch16.

Alternate flashing of the high beam filaments 6 and 7 may also beinitiated while the low beam filaments 8 and 9 of both headlight 14 and15 are operating. In this mode of operation, switch 13 is placed in itson position and the dimmer switch 16 is placed in its low position asshown by dotted line 37 so that current is conveyed to the low beamfilaments as previously described. Concurrently, if the flasher switchis placed in its on position, so as to connect contacts 20 and 21 withflasher contacts 22 and 23 respectively, current will flow from battery11, through wire 45 to flasher input 30 and alternately to the high beamfilaments 6 and 7 of the headlights as previously described. Thus theoperator has the advantage of the flashing high beam warning signal inaddition to the concurrent steady operation of the low beam filaments.

Alternate flashing of the high beam filaments may also be initiatedwhile the high beam filaments of both headlights are operating by merelyplacing flasher switch 17 in its on position, This breaks the steadycurrent supply to the high beam filaments and begins the flashingoperation as previously described. Of course, if the operator desires aconcurrent steady beam, he must then place dimmer switch 16 in its lowposition to energize the low beam filaments.

A vehicle'38 with alternatively flashing high beams is shown in FIGS. 2and 3. FIG. 2 depicts the operation when current is input from flasher31 to the high beam filament 7 of light 15, and FIG. 3 shows theheadlights with current input to the high beam filament 6 of light 14with the high beam filament 7 of light off.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 wherein the vehicle isprovided with double or dual headlights. Similar numbers designateelements similar to those of the first embodiment. In a typical dualheadlight system, four headlamp units are provided, With two located oneach side of the vehicle. The inner two units 39 and 40 generallyinclude a high beam filament and the outer two units 41 and 42 generallyinclude both a high beam and a low beam filament. The low beam filamentsof units 41 and 42 are connected to battery 11 through main switch 13,dimmer switch 16, wire 31) and wire 29 and operate in the same manner asthe low beam filaments 8 and 9 of the prior embodiment. The high beamfilaments of units 39, 40, 41 and 42 are connected through wires 25,25A, 26 and 26A to contacts and 21, respectively, of flasher switch 1'7.This switch is used to connect the high beam filaments of the lightunits to the battery 11 through dimmer switch 16 and through mainheadlight switch 13 as previously described. Alternately, the high beamunits are connected through flasher switch 17 to the flasher 31, also aspreviously described.

Operation of this embodiment is the same as operation of the firstembodiment with the exception that, when the high beam or flashing modeis in operation, two high beam filaments on each side of the vehicle areutilized. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a vehicle of this embodiment when theflasher switch is in its on position and the main headlight switch 13and dimmer switch 16 is positioned to concurrently energize the low beamfilaments. In FIG. 5, current is flowing as previously described fromthe battery 11, through switch 13, dimmer switch 16 and wires 30 and 29to steadily illuminate the low beam filaments of units 41 and 42.Current also flows from the battery 11 through flasher terminal 32, wire34, flasher switch 17, and wires and 25A to energize the high beamfilaments of units 39 and 41. In FIG. 6, the low beam filaments of units41 and 42 are steadily operating and current flows from flasher terminal33, through wire 35, flasher switch 17 and wires 26 and 26A to energizethe high beam filaments of units 40 and 42.

It can be seen that all the advantages of the first embodiment areincorporated into the second. Operation of the flasher warning iscompletely independent of the position of the main headlight switch orthe dimmer switch. Further, when the high beams are flashing, the lowbeams may be turned on so that they constantly illuminate the areaforwardly of the vehicle.

It can be readily appreciated that the concurrent operation of theflashing high beams and steady low beams is extremely advantageous sincethe low beams will provide a steady illumination of the area ahead ofthe vehicle while the high beams alternately flash for warning purposes.If operation of the flasher inherently precluded steady illumination ofthe area forward of the vehicle, nighttime driving visibility would bedecreased and the danger vastly increased as the only illumination wouldbe the intermittent flashing of the high beams.

It can also be readily appreciated that the operation of the flasher iscompletely independent of the operation of the main headlight switch 13and the dimmer switch 16. Thus an operator can instantly initiate theflashing operation, whether night or day, without regard to the positionof any switch other than the flasher switch.

Furthermore, the invention may be readily adapted for incorporation intoexisting lighting circuits in vehicles. The flasher and flasher switchmay be constructed as a separate unit to be later easily combined withexisting circuits by providing a flasher connected to a double-pole,double-throw flasher switch and with a Contact for connection to asource of electrical power. The other contacts of the flasher switch areprovided for connection to the high beam contact of a dimmer switch andto the high beam filaments of the headlamps as previously described.

I have found that the use of alternately flashing high beams isextremelY effective and visually attractive even during the daylighthours, and that under certain conditions such flashing is more readilyvisible than, for instance, even the revolving red, yellow or bluelights now commonly found on emergency vehicles. The'ability toinstantly initiate the flashing operation without regard to the positionof other switches than the flasher switch allows the operator an extramargin of safety in the control of his vehicle, since it is unnecessaryto divert his attention to a plurality of switches. This factor is initself an inducement to initiate the flashing warning whenever necessaryrather than not initiate it, when needed for only short periods of time,due to the relative difficulty of operation.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, simultaneousflashing of the high beam filaments may be accomplished merely byconnecting wires 34 and 35 to either one of flasher terminals 32 or 33.This embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 and it is to be understood that FIG.7 shows only the connection of the flasher, the rest of the elementsbeing the same as in FIGS. 1 or 4. The advantage of maintaining a steadyillumination of the low beam filaments while the high beam filamentsconcurrently flash is maintained as well as the advantage of initiatingthe flashing of the high beam filaments independently of the dimmerswitch 16 and on-off switch 13.

In an even further embodiment, a single output pulsating type flasher 50could be utilized in place of the alternating flasher described. Such aflasher has input contact 51 connected to battery 11 through wire 45 andan output contact 52 connected through wire 53 to contacts 22 and 23 offlasher switch 17. The control operation of this embodiment is the sameas that described for other embodiments and results in a simultaneousflashing of the high beam filaments. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 8and it is to be understood that FIG. 8 shows the alternate flasherconnection, the rest of the elements being the same as in FIGS. 1 or 4except, of course, wires 34 and 35, which would be omitted on thisembodiment. The advantage of the simultaneous high beam filamentflashing with concurrent steady illumination of the low beams ismaintained as well as the advantage of independent initiation of theflashing operation without regard to the position of dimmer switch 16and on-off switch 13.

It is to be further understood that the invention incorporates theconcept of solid state electronics. For instance, the flasher switchcould be replaced by switching transistors or silicon controlrectifiers, and the flasher could be replaced with an astablemultivibrator in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in theart.

The invention has been described in connection with its use to flash thehigh beam filaments, with the capability of having concurrent low beamfilament operation. Obviously, the invention can be used to flash thelow beam filaments, with concurrent high beam filament operation bymerely changing the connections of the groups of filaments to the othercircuit elements.

While specific embodiments of an alternate flashing warning system havebeen illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that this invention is susceptible to numerouschanges and modifications without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to belimited except by the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a circuit for controlling the flashing of vehicle lights,including at least two headlight units each having at least a high beamfilament and a low beam filament, a source of electrical power, a mainheadlight switch selectively positionable between a closed-circuit onposition and an open-circuit off position, a dimmer switch connected viasaid main headlight switch to said source of electrical power, saiddimmer switch having a high beam contact and a low beam contact andhaving means switchable between two positions for alternativelyconnecting said high and low beam contacts to said source of electricalpower via said main headlight switch, and said circuit adapted foralternately flashing the high beam filaments regardless of therespective positions of said dimmer switch and of said main headlightswitch, the improvement comprising,

a flasher means having an input connected to said source of electricalpower and having two flasher outputs, said flasher means alternatelyenergizing said 'two outputs when current is applied through saidflasher means,

a flasher switch means having a first pair of contacts, each connectedto a different one of said high beam filaments, a second pair ofcontacts each connected to different ones of said two flasher outputs,and a third pair of contacts, both contacts in said third pair beingconnected to said high beam contact of said dimmer switch,

said flasher switch means in one position connecting respective ones ofsaid first pair of contacts to respective ones of said second pair ofcontacts in order to thereby alternately energize said high beamfilaments irrespective of the position of said dimmer switch and saidmain headlight switch, and in a second position connecting respectiveones of said first pair of contacts to respective contacts of said thirdpair of contacts and thereby to said high beam contact of said dimmerswitch in order to energize said high beam filaments concurrently whensaid main headlight switch is in an on position and when the high beamcontact of the dimmer switch is connected to the source of electricalpower via said main headlight switch,

and said dimmer switch being effective to selectively connect Said lowbeam filaments to the source of electrical power through said mainheadlight switch without regard to the position of said flasher switchmeans.

1. In a circuit for controlling the flashing of vehicle lights,including at least two headlight units each having at least a high beamfilament and a low beam filament, a source of electrical power, a mainheadlight switch selectively positionable between a closed-circuit''''on'''' position and an open-circuit ''''off'''' position, a dimmerswitch connected via said main headlight switch to said source ofelectrical power, said dimmer switch having a high beam contact and alow beam contact and having means switchable between two positions foralternatively connecting said high and low beam contacts to said sourceof electrical power via said main headlight switch, and said circuitadapted for alternately flashing the high beam filaments regardless ofthe respective positions of said dimmer switch and of said mainheadlight switch, the improvement comprising, a flasher means having aninput connected to said source of electrical power and having twoflasher outputs, said flasher means alternately energizing said twooutputs when current is applied through said flasher means, a flasherswitch means having a first pair of contacts, each connected to adifferent one of said high beam filaments, a second pair of contactseach connected to different ones of said two flasher outputs, and athird pair of contacts, both contacts in said third pair being connectedto said high beam contact of said dimmer switch, said flasher switchmeans in one position connecting respective ones of said first pair ofcontacts to respective ones of said second pair of contacts in order tothereby alternately energize said high beam filaments irrespective ofthe position of said dimmer switch and said main headlight switch, andin a second position connecting respective ones of said first pair ofcontacts to respective contacts of said third pair of contacts andthereby to said high beam contact of said dimmer switch in order toenergize said high beam filaments concurrently when said main headlightswitch is in an ''''on'''' position and when the high beam contact ofthe dimmer switch is connected to the source of electrical power viasaid main headlight switch, and said dimmer switch being effective toselectively connect Said low beam filaments to the source of electricalpower through said main headlight switch without regard to the positionof said flasher switch means.